Anthony Nolan

Dear Neighbor, 



SantaBro is in town! Tell those children they better watch out - he's making his list and checking it twice, hoping the children (and parents!) are not being naughty, but really being nice!

Storm Watch: Cancellations 

All New London Public Schools were closed today, December 23. Students will return, following the winter break, on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. 

Be advised, due to weather related issues, all departures of the Cross Sound Ferry are cancelled today, December 23. For more information, click here. 

Toy Drop Offs

I was happy to drop off toys and stop by to see Ruben Santiago who runs the program KOP! KOP and The Church continue to do great things for our community. 

I also had the opportunity to stop by the Whalers Helping Whalers event held at the Elks on Washington St. They did a great Toy Giveaway. Seeing so many parents and children carry smiles and fun was awesome. If you are in need of toys, or food you can contact Chef Tom overseeing "Whaler Helping Whalers".



Big thanks Chef Tom for all you do!

New London Kinara Installation

On Monday, in preparation for the Kwanzaa holiday, Brian Barton, a woodworker from Georgia installed a Kinara at Parade Plaza. Kinara is the Swahili word that means candle holder and candles are lit every night of Kwanzaa representing the seven principles of the holiday.



Barbara Neff, of Neff Productions, commissioned Barton to make the piece after she found a smaller piece he made online. He delivered and installed it himself while visiting a friend in town.



The Kinara will be lit every night of Kwanzaa and a celebration on the first night, December 26. Learn more about the installation in a recent article from The Day, "Kinara installed in New London."

Committee on Veterans Affairs Update

As I announced a few weeks ago, I will serve as Chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs for the coming 2023 legislative session. In an exciting update, the committee will hereby be known as the Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.



Changing the name is meant to incorporate more inclusive language to reflect the committee's dedication to all service members past and present. Our goal is to continue to address the pressing issues facing service men and women, and honor their dedication to our country.

Hispanic Alliance Latina of the Year & Scholarship Awards

This past week, I was lucky to attend an event at The Hispanic Alliance in New London for a great event recognizing the La Latina of the Year Award!



Big congratulations to Gloria Rodriguez - Latina of the Year Award and Shayleen Castillo - BRILLA scholarship recipient.

Proclamation Advocating for our Homeless Community

The City of New London took a moment this week to honor those we lost to homelessness. Thank you to our many New London residents, friends and neighbors who continually advocate to fix our problems with homelessness.

Christmas Day Lunch

Don't miss out! Christmas Day Lunch will be served at the NLCMC on 12 Montauk Ave on Sunday, December 25 at 1PM. 

Open Mic Night

Three Rivers Community College Phlebotomy Courses 

Three Rivers Community College is now offering both a day and night phlebotomy course for those who are interested. Funding options are available - so be sure to reach out to Three Rivers for more information. 



For information on the course and start dates, click here.

Lead Free New London Public Open House

The City is holding a Lead-Free New London Open House from 6PM-8PM on Wednesday, January 11 at the Senior Citizens Center (120 Broad Street) to update the public on the initiative to identify and replace lead service lines.



Water provided by the City of New London is lead-free when it leaves the treatment plant, but its quality may change as the water flows through the water service lines and in-home plumbing and fixtures that may contain lead.

The City has begun implementation of a comprehensive Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) Program, which includes updating the City's current inventory of lead service lines and replacement of lead lines with new copper lines.



The Open House will be held in person, but the ability to attend the presentation virtually via Zoom will be available. To register to attend the Open House presentation virtually, click here. 



In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, the Open House will be held on January 19 at the same place and time as originally planned. For questions and more information call the New London lead service hotline at (203) 427-8144,

email leadfreenewlondon@arcadis.com, or visit https://leadfreenewlondon.com/.

New London's efforts to combat lead poisoning were highlighted in a recent article in the Hartford Courant, "CT in line for $150M to replace health-impacting lead water pipes, service lines. ‘It’s very exciting. It’s historic.’"

DSS will now Send Reminders for SNAP Renewals

A note to all SNAP recipients, the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) has teamed up with Code for America to launch a text message service reminding you of your SNAP renewals.



Please be aware - DSS will NEVER ask for your personal information (SSN or EBT PIN). Check to see if your contact information is up-to-date and if DSS has your phone number to receive texts here. 

CT Cultural Fund Awards Grant to New London Landmarks Inc. 

Great news from CT Humanities: New London Landmarks Inc. was awarded a $7,200 CT Cultural Operating Support Grant. Operating support is the toughest funding to find because it doesn't need to be tied to a particular program: it can fund the less glamorous necessities like utilities and salaries that make everything else possible. New London Landmarks is planning on using a chunk of ours to fund a part-time paid internship through the spring as we develop a program based on the oral history interviews we conducted this year.



Big thanks to everyone helping this come to fruition! Congratulations New London Landmarks and thank you for the great work and service you do for the city.

New London/WBDC Small Business Grant Program

I had the great opportunity to celebrate the small business grant program with Women's Business Development Council in New London. Thank you to Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Mayor Passero, Felix Reyes, and Economic Development Coordinator Elizabeth Nocerra for joining WBDC staff in distributing the first four recipients of the New London/WBDC Small Business Grant Program their checks in person.



Congratulations to Washington Street Coffee House, Astor Place Inc, String Theory School of Music, and Adrian Vega Hair Co. - we are proud to support small businesses in New London that are making a difference in their community!

General Dynamics Electric Boat 2022 Year in Review

Thank you to General Dynamics and all the employees working hard to keep Southeastern Connecticut world class in the production of the necessities and submarines. Your works is what makes our state and country the best!

CT State Police Union Ratify Four-Year Contract

The Connecticut State Police Union said Tuesday it has overwhelmingly ratified a four-year contract aimed at bolstering the recruitment and retention of troopers with dramatically higher starting pay, a quicker path to the top of the pay scale, and lump sums for senior troopers.



Learn more about the contract in a recent article by the CT Mirror, "State police ratify deal to make them best-paid cops in Connecticut."

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at my Capitol office at 860-240-8512 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "Like" my official Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for news and legislative updates.

 

Sincerely,



Anthony Nolan

State Representative